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Tribune article by Felicia Cogley

Hastings Public Library staff

Felicia is the Volunteer Services Coordinator at the Hastings Public Library. Call Felicia at (402) 461-2346 or e-mail Felicia.

Dogs in the library help kids read better — March 2, 2012

When it comes to reading, dogs can’t do it, but they can help kids do it better. Research is showing that dogs can be powerful motivators in helping kids improve their literacy skills.

A local, certified dog therapy group, K9s and Friends, has teamed up with Hastings Public Library to provide a new storytime called “Tails for Tales” that gives kids an opportunity to read aloud to a four-footed friend. While this storytime is appropriate for kids of all ages and reading levels, its basic premise is to help kids read better.

And what better way to inspire a child to read than having an attentive, non-judgmental listener with a wagging tail, lapping up every word? Dogs don’t care how fast kids read, how well they read or if words are changed. They just love the attention.

Our program is not a new idea. Reading assistance dog programs are popping up at libraries across the country. The use of trained therapy dogs in reading programs is resulting in children feeling easier reading out loud, attempting more difficult books and actually looking forward to reading. We’re thrilled to see that as children improve their literacy skills, they’re not just learning how to read, they’re learning to love to read!

As an added bonus, kids who are uneasy around dogs can get more comfortable as they learn to interact with a calm, trained therapy dog, say members of K-9s and Friends.

The group has more than a dozen dog-handler teams who are specially trained to provide positive motivation for helping build self esteem and excitement about reading. Four teams are present at each storytime. The kids get to choose what they’d like to read and to which dog they’d like to read it.

The dogs sit quietly while children read to them at their own pace. When they finish reading, they may choose a special bookmark with a photo of their dog listener.

Launched in November, “Tails for Tales,” has been a growing success. It meets 10-11 a.m. the second Saturday of the month in the library’s children’s room. (Next time will be March 10.)

For more resources on getting kids to read or about the magic of dogs connecting with people, the library has numerous books that offer help for parents and teachers.

“Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog” and “Three More Stories You Can Read to Your Dog” are cleverly written read-aloud books by Sara Swan Miller. The books enable a kid to speak directly to a dog but are written with subtle humor that’s fun for adults as well.

What works for Rover can make parents raise better kids, claims Harold Hansen, author and dog trainer. “The Dog Trainer’s Guide to Parenting” doesn’t promote giving biscuits for rewards, but does apply basic educational practices that anyone can follow to become a better parent.

Helping identify and resolve deficiencies, “Parenting a Struggling Reader” offers a program for parents to get actively involved in their child’s reading lives.

A kind of magic happens when a therapy dog connects with a person in need. “Where the Trail Grows Faint” covers a year in the life of a therapy dog team.

“Paws & Effect, the Healing Power of Dogs” is not only is a great book for dog lovers but sheds light on how dogs can change our lives for the better.

Enjoy a novel about a therapy dog written by noted mystery writer and canine trainer Carol Lea Benjamin. “Lady Vanishes” will appeal to both dog enthusiasts and mystery fans, with a story that features the sleuthing team, Rachel Alexander and her pit bull, Dashiell.

Dogs are panting for a good tale at Hastings Public Library!

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